Journalist Keyvan Samimi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Keyvan Samimi, a journalist and one of those arrested on International Workers’ Day in Iran, has been sentenced to five years in prison.

On Monday, the 21st of April, Keyvan Samimi announced the news through his Telegram channel, writing that “in an in absentia verdict, it has been written that for the reasons below, I was monitored and then identified by authorities and ultimately arrested in 2019.”

The journalist and political activist further noted that the charges against him in the verdict include founding the Freedom Party of the Iranian People, which dates back 22 years ago, serving as editor-in-chief of the Iran Tomorrow publication, uploading content in cyberspace, giving speeches and “inciting audiences,” supporting political prisoners, and participating in the illegal gathering on International Workers’ Day.

Previously, the journalist and political activist announced that he learned “through the Judiciary website” that the court was held and a verdict was issued without his presence.

Keyvan Samimi, editor-in-chief of Iran Tomorrow magazine, was arrested at the International Workers’ Day gathering in front of the Parliament building in Tehran and is currently being held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. According to available information, his detention was extended for one month in mid-June 2019.

Following these arrests, the U.S. State Department’s Farsi Twitter page criticized the arrest of Iranian labor activists on International Workers’ Day.

Previously, Amnesty International issued a statement on International Workers’ Day calling on Islamic Republic authorities to immediately release workers and civil activists arrested during strikes and other peaceful protests.

Source: Voice of America